About

Come along to the National Maritime Museum this February half term, where the team will be putting on a range of fun creative events for families during LGBTQ+ History Month.

Check out the full programme below, as well as everything else that's going on at the National Maritime Museum and the LGBTQ+ Family in Residence programme!

Programme: 
11th February - Collaborative Quilting (FREE, Drop-in) 
Help create a patchwork quilt to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the Museum's collection. You can explore many stories in the galleries and bring them together in a communally made quilt. 

12th February - Merfolk Pastels (FREE, Drop-in)
Learn about merfolk myths from around the world in this creative workshop. You'll make your own merfolk using creamy, tactile oil pastels.  

13th February - Pride Peg Dolls (FREE, Drop-in)
Dress up a tiny peg doll to take home. Make a mini you and express yourself, or create a character and take inspiration from some LGBTQ+ heroes with connections to the Museum and south-east London.

14th February - Free to be me suncatchers (FREE, Drop-in)
Learn about the 'Person of the Sea' and create your own personalised suncatcher to celebrate all of the things that make us 'free to be me'. 

15th February - Penguin Pride (FREE, Drop-in)
Learn about penguin pride and make your own pocket penguin to take home!

During Captain Scott’s Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic in 1910-13, scientists first discovered same-sex behaviour between penguins. They decided to cover up their findings by writing them in Greek alphabet code.

The story was forgotten for decades until it was finally published in 2012. Today, penguins feature on the symbol for the organisation Pride in Polar Research – there’s even a book about a same-sex penguin couple who lived in Central Park Zoo! 

16th February - Welcome Aboard (FREE, Drop-in)
Join in to design, collage and print your own ship's badge to show that everyone is welcome aboard the ship.

What symbols might show that everyone is welcome? What colours would you use? What name would you give our ship? 

17th February - Out at Sea Festival (FREE, Drop-in)
Join in for a family festival celebrating LGBTQ+ histories through live performances, storytelling, talks and creative workshops.

18th February - Letters from Home (FREE, Drop-in)
Design a postcard inspired by stories of the sea and LGBTQ+ iconography to express affection to someone important.

* Suitable for all ages and abilities